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| Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis
Liu & Rao, 2019
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Abstract
A new species of Acanthosaura from Yunnan, China is described based on unique morphometric and meristic external characters and a very distinctive color pattern. The fourteenth species recorded of this genus, Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis sp. nov., was previously considered A. lepidogaster although it more closely resembles A. crucigera. It can be separated from all other species of the genus by having different numbers of subdigital lamellae on the fourth finger and toe, and a different shape of the black eye patch. The new species differs genetically from investigated congeners by percentage distance of 14.46% to 23.27% (cytochrome b gene).
Keywords: Acanthosaura crucigera, Dehong, Acanthosaura lepidogaster, Tongbiguan
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| Figure 3. Adult male holotype (KIZL201804) of Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis sp. nov. in life A lateral view of the head B dorsal view of the body C dorsal view of the head D lateral view of the body E ventral view of the head F ventral view of the body. |
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| Figure 4. Adult female paratype (KIZL201805) of Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis sp. nov. in life A lateral view of the head B dorsal view of the body C dorsal view of the head D lateral view of the body E ventral view of the head F ventral view of the body. |
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| Figure 7. Comparison of three different types of eye patch A Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis sp. nov. B A. lepidogaster C A. nataliae. |
Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis sp. nov.
Acanthosaura lepidogaster: Zhao et al. 1999: 82–85.
Acanthosaura lepidogaster: Yang and Rao 2008: 186–187.
Diagnosis:
A medium-sized (maximum SVL 115.6 mm) agamid lizard with two pairs of spines: postorbital (supraciliary) spines and spines on occiput between tympanum and nuchal crest; tympanum naked; moderately developed gular pouch; scales on flanks randomly intermixed with medium and large scales; nuchal crest present and strongly developed; diastema between the nuchal and dorsal crests present; dorsal crest slightly developed, composed of enlarged, pointed scales beginning at shoulder region and decreasing regularly in size; tail 1.56–1.85 times SVL; black nuchal collar present; black eye patch present; black oblique folds anterior to the fore limb insertions present.
The new species can be separated from all congeners by having different numbers of subdigital lamellae on the fourth finger (19–21) and toe (25–28), and a different shape of the black eye patch, that extends from posterior margin of nostrils through orbit posteriorly and downwards beyond the posterior end of the tympanum but neither meeting the diamond shaped black nuchal collar on nape nor black oblique humeral fold.
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Etymology: The name refers to Tongbiguan Nature Reserve, the locality where the new species was found.
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| Figure 10. Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis sp. nov. A live adult male on the ground B live adult female on a leaf C live adult female asleep on a branch D live juvenile asleep on branches and leaves. |
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| Figure 9. Habitat at the type locality of Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis sp. nov., Tongbiguan Township, Yingjiang County, Dehong Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China A distant view B close view. |
Distribution: Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis sp. nov. is only recorded in Tongbiguan Nature Reserve including Yingjiang County, Longchuan County and Ruili City, the border region with northern Myanmar in western Yunnan, China, so it probably occurs in northern Myanmar.
Natural history: The type series of Acanthosaura tongbiguanensis sp. nov. was collected at night while they were asleep on small trees in a primordial forest. However, we suppose that they forage for food on the ground during the day. At the type locality we found four other species of reptiles, namely Cyrtodactylus khasiensis (Jerdon, 1870), Pseudocalotes kakhienensis (Anderson, 1879); P. microlepis (Boulenger, 1887); Trimeresurus yingjiangensis Chen et al., 2019; and seven species of amphibians, Leptobrachella yingjiangensis (Yang et al., 2018); Limnonectes longchuanensis Suwannapoom et al., 2016; Megophrys feii Yang et al., 2018; M. glandulosa Fei et al., 1990; Raorchestes longchuanensis (Yang & Li, 1978); Theloderma moloch (Annandale, 1912); Zhangixalus smaragdinus (Blyth, 1852).
Shuo Liu and Dingqi Rao. 2019. A New Species of the Genus Acanthosaura from Yunnan, China (Squamata, Agamidae). ZooKeys. 888: 105-132. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.888.38491
